Board votes on marina proposal tonight

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County Planning Board will debate the merits of a proposed Lakeside marina and make a recommendation regarding the project during a work session tonight.

The work session takes place in the second floor conference room at the Earl Bennett Building, beginning at 6 p.m.

The board held a public hearing about the marina last month. However, given the volume of material that was submitted, it postponed making a recommendation until tonight.

Montana Eagle Development is requesting a major lakeshore variance for what would be the largest marina on Flathead Lake, and possibly the largest in Montana. The variance would allow the company to upgrade and expand an existing facility located across from Bierney Creek road, adjacent to the county boat launch.

About 50 people turned out for last month's public hearing. More than 20 spoke in opposition and six spoke in favor of granting the variance.

To complete the project as initially planned, Montana Eagle Development needs variances to almost two dozen specific lakeshore variances.

For example, the rules allow 15 square feet of impervious surface within the Lakeshore Protection Zone for every foot of shoreline on the property. By that standard, the marina is allowed 12,750 square feet of dock and building space - but the current facility has 53,550 square feet, and Montana Eagle Development wants to increase that to 110,875 square feet.

The current regulations also restrict dock length to a maximum of 100 feet. However, the existing docks extend 179 to 350 feet, depending on where they're measured, and it's being proposed to extend them to an average of 505 feet and a maximum of 664 feet.

Public comment will not be accepted during tonight's work session. Once the board makes a recommendation, the issue will go to the Flathead County commissioners for another public hearing and for final action.